The Emerald

Chapter 34 - Encouragement

"You're the Arsenal?" The Dealer asked Roy, still shocked that it was his son, of all people, that was before him in the red leather and hood. "That's the reason you wouldn't tell me anything about the Arrow wasn't it? You were trying to save your own ass, as always." The Dealer turned and stepped back two paces before spinning around, hands pressed together in front of him, touching his chin in thought. "You realize what this means right?" He asked his son.

Roy continued to glare at the man that just happened to be his dad. The only time he broke eye contact with him was when the Dealer turned to step away a couple of paces. While he had his back turned Roy glanced briefly to Oliver, noting the look of encouragement in the older man's eyes, before again meeting his dad with a glare.

"When I came to you for information I told you what would happen if you didn't cooperate." The Dealer said after a moment of silence, amused at the glare that his son was attempting to give him. "I am sorry to say that I intend to make good on my promise, but first." He turned to look at David. "David, would you please do me a favor and rid my son of this ridiculous leather jacket and hood that he is wearing? It's just going to get in the way."

"It would be my pleasure." David answered with a smirk. This was going to be fun. He pulled out a large blade and walked up to the kid in chains. He decided to be nice, even if only slightly, and unzipped the front of the kid's jacket before sliding the knife up the sleeves, effectively cutting the jacket off of his arms. The red leather dropped to the floor a moment later. David reached down to pick up the jacket and walked out with it.

Roy couldn't help the slight shiver that went down his spine at the Dealer's words. He clearly remembered what the other man had said he would do if Roy didn't help him find the Arrow and as much as he trusted Diggle and Sara he was afraid for Thea and Sin. He didn't much care what happened to him, however, he would never forgive himself, and neither would Oliver, if something happened to Thea because of him.

Oliver didn't miss the shiver from Roy as the Dealer spoke, and then again when David Wilson cut Roy's jacket and shirt off. Oliver remembered what Roy had told him the Dealer would do, if he could, since he hadn't helped his dad track Team Arrow down. He worried for his sister and Sin, however he also knew that they were with Sara and Diggle and he hoped that they would stay there, for their own safety.

"You know what to do now." The Dealer told David without ever breaking eye contact with Roy.

"Yes sir." David answered, slightly surprised at the complete lack of emotion in the other man's voice at the last comment. He found that he was happy that he wouldn't have to stick around to watch whatever the Dealer had in store for his wayward son.

Roy refused to say a word in response to anything his dad said. He knew that the man before him would say, and do, anything to get to him. He also refused to break eye contact with the man. He knew that if he did the chances of him making it through whatever was planned next would decrease. He knew a good deal of what his dad was capable of and if he didn't focus on his own silence and keeping eye contact he would think of those things, and he would break. He resolved to remain strong and silent, regardless of what happened next. However, he couldn't keep the fear, and the memories, at bay when the Dealer walked towards him once more.

The Dealer waited until David had left the room and shut the door soundly behind him before he walked slowly towards Roy. As he slowly came closer to his son he reached down and unbuckled his belt. He stopped about four feet from where Roy hung, not once breaking eye contact with the boy, and in one swift motion pulled his belt out of its loops. It had been several years since he had done that, and yet he pulled his belt free as easily as he had all that time ago.

Oliver watched as the Dealer pulled his belt out in one swift move. He had a feeling that he knew what was coming next.

"Don't touch him." Oliver growled in his Arrow voice. "You can do whatever you want to me, just let him go. None of this is his fault."